UFO Journals

UFO Journals is a captivating 1978 sci-fi documentary that plunges us into the enigmatic world of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs), featuring pioneers of the era’s UFO research circuit, including notable personalities such as George King, Ruth Norman, and Robert Short. This intriguing film uncovers diverse UFO theories, encounters, and so-called 'contactees,' creating an expansive picture of this contentious field.

The film is driven mainly by interviews and first-hand accounts, reinforcing its narrative by combining these stories with a creative blend of science fiction-themed visuals and space-age music. Director Richard A. Martin masterfully captures the mood of a society swept by a wave of extraterrestrial fervor and, at the same time, invites the audience to ponder the timeless question: are we truly alone in the universe?

In the opening of UFO Journals, we are introduced to George King, the founder of the Aetherius Society, a spiritual movement that believes in the existence of advanced extraterrestrial beings who communicate messages of peace and spiritual growth to the human race. King claims to have been in direct telepathic contact with these cosmic entities since the 1950s. As the film progresses, he opens up about his experiences with these aliens and his mission to spread their messages of hope and love to humanity.

Ruth Norman, also known as Uriel, adds another layer to the narrative with her unique viewpoint. Norman is the co-founder of the Unarius Academy of Science, a group founded on the belief that we are not only surrounded by intelligent extraterrestrial life, but also that we regularly reincarnate into multiple parallel worlds. Norman's impassioned belief and relentless enthusiasm offer a thought-provoking insight into the world of spiritual science and the possibility of past lives.

Robert Short, another figure of importance in the UFO community, is presented as a contactee who shares his supposed experiences of receiving messages from aliens. Professing to be a conduit between the human race and a collective of extraterrestrials, he details his encounters, which range from telepathic communications to potential sightings.

However, UFO Journals is not just about the 'contactees.' It also features UFOlogists and investigators who are on a tireless quest to prove the expression of cosmic civilizations. They provide a more grounded perspective, counterbalancing the spiritual elements with forensic details of sightings and possible landings, interviews with key witnesses, analyses of supposed evidence, and discussion of government cover-ups.

The film tactfully explores the terrain linking mysticism and science without resorting to skepticism or incredulity. Instead, it invites viewers to experience the varying degrees of belief in extraterrestrial phenomena, from the predominantly mystical and spiritual to the strictly empirical and scientific. While we meet individuals who communicate with other-worldly intelligences and share tales of secret government facilities, a highlight is the everyday people who share their potential encounter stories with an earnest charm, adding an element of authenticity to the narrative.

Despite the heavy and contentious matter it tackles, UFO Journals manages to maintain a level of levity, showcasing a variety of eclectic and colorful personalities within the UFO community. This undercurrent of humor prevents the documentary from succumbing to the cloak-and-dagger themes many UFO films often adopt.

Aesthetically, the film encapsulates its era perfectly. UFO Journals is filled with space-age animations and visuals sketched from witness accounts and supposed evidence of extraterrestrial existence. The accompanying music is a well-suited soundtrack: electronic synths and eerie soundscapes lend a cosmic feel to the narrative, enhancing the overall viewing experience.

In time, UFO Journals has proven to be a unique record of an intriguing subculture within the broader UFO phenomenon. Regardless of whether viewers come in as believers or skeptics, this film offers a fascinating look at people who, for various reasons, have committed to the belief in the existence of extraterrestrial life. Lastly, UFO Journals is more than just a film about UFOs; it is also a testament to the unquenchable human spirit of curiosity and exploration and our long-held fascination with the mysteries of the universe.